The unnamed woman was out walking her dog Lottie on the evening of 19th February 2010 when the dog suddenly ran away from its owner and started barking and pawing at something down at the water's edge in Lake Windermere. Aware that the dog was not heeding her commands, the woman also went to investigate. Realising that it was a human body afloat, she duly phoned the police and gave them a statement upon their arrival.